Institute

Pronunciation

• ˈɪnstɪtju:t

From French institut, from Middle French, from Latin īnstitūtum.

Noun

1. An organization founded to promote a causeI work in a medical research institute.
2. An institution of learning; a college, especially for technical subjects
3. The building housing such an institution
4. (obsolete) The act of instituting; institution.
• Miltonwater sanctified by Christ's institute
5. (obsolete) That which is instituted, established, or fixed, such as a law, habit, or custom.
• BurkeThey made a sort of institute and digest of anarchy.
• Drydento make the Stoics' institutes thy own
6. (legal, Scotland) The person to whom an estate is first given by destination or limitation.

Derived terms

• educational institute
• research institute
• academic institute

From Middle English, from Latin īnstitūtus, past participle of īnstituō ("I set up, place upon, purpose, begin, institute"), from in ("in, on") + statuō ("set up, establish").

Full definition of institute

Verb

1. (transitive) To begin or initiate (something); to found.He instituted the new policy of having children walk through a metal detector to enter school.
• unknown date ShakespeareAnd haply institute
  A course of learning and ingenious studies.
• 1776 Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of IndependenceWhenever any from of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government.
2. (obsolete, transitive) To train, instruct.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.27:Publius was the first that ever instituted the Souldier to manage his armes by dexteritie and skil, and joyned art unto vertue, not for the use of private contentions, but for the wars and Roman peoples quarrels.
• unknown date Dr. H. MoreIf children were early instituted, knowledge would insensibly insinuate itself.
3. To nominate; to appoint.
• We institute your Grace
  To be our regent in these parts of France.
4. (ecclesiastical, legal) To invest with the spiritual charge of a benefice, or the care of souls.

Related terms

• institution
• institutional

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Established; organized; founded.
• Robynson (More's Utopia)They have but few laws. For to a people so instruct and institute, very few to suffice.